Monday McCarthy: Hopeful on Woodson, Matthews, Nelson

Dec. 10, 2012

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Packers coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media on Monday following his team's 27-20 win over Detroit. Here are some highlights from his news conference:

-Hopeful Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews practice and play this week.

-We felt pretty good about the way we came out of the game. Doc McKenzie feels good about the way we came out.

-I think sometimes things end in a cycle. When you start going through your inactive list and you have to make tough decisions on the 46, that's the situation you want to be in as a coach.

-T.J. Lang practiced a little bit on Friday, talked at length on Saturday and the decision wasn't made until the end of the morning Saturday. We waited for the pregame Sunday night to see T.J. go through it with pads. Had double teams to see where he was.

-Don Barclay is getting better. I thought he played better this week than last week. He's had some tough matchups, but I'm very pleased with his progress.

-You clinch the division as soon as you can. I think the bigger picture is the Bears and Packers and anytime we play it's significant. You start getting voicemails from Willie Davis, you know it's a big game.

-I like a lot about DuJuan Harris. I'd like to get him in a game more, do a lot with him. I didn't want him to get lost in the game-planning portion of the game, so he started. He's as fast vertically as he is horizontally.

-I think it's a great benefit to have three different running styles. That's something we've already started today. I like how Alex Green has progressed, it's good to have Ryan Grant back.

-Once again you have to trust your game plan with Crosby from beyond 50. The one he missed, I thought he hit well.

-C.J. Wilson is not as far as long as he would've hoped with the knee injury. We'll see where he is this week.

-Sam Shields played well. It was great to have him out there. You know Sam can run, but you really appreciate what he does on big plays. It was great to have him back and his presence on special teams.

-I think our personnel department does a good job of its evaluation. The only thing is DuJuan Harris is 5-foot-7, but you watch the tape. When teammates high-five in practice, that speaks volumes.

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-We haven't added any new patterns or schemes to our playbook. The big credit in our run game needs to be given credit to our quarterback. Aaron Rodgers has a great understanding of run game.

-I wouldn't say we changed the philosophy on offense. The dynamics of our football team changed. The way our season ended last year, it changes the way you look at things. Part of our offensive study is how we're going to be a better, more well-rounded team. We knew our special teams would be better this year. Defense, play younger players right away. We have different challenges you don't expect, like every team. It's all those different elements and factors.

-Quality of play sometimes favors the one who has the fielded tilted his way like DuJuan Harris. We haven't had a guy run like he did around the corner on the first play during my time here. Players have to execute and play through bad angles. You're always looking for an advantage.

-I hope both T.J. Lang and Jordy Nelson are back. Talked to Jordy last night, said he's getting better. We'll see what T.J. does in practice.

-We'll see if we put Lang back at left guard. We're going to be ready for anything.